Improper Integral Question/Check

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of improper integrals in real analysis, specifically the integral from 0 to 1 of log(x). The user initially calculated the integral as -1 using the limit approach but found a discrepancy when checking with a calculator, which returned approximately -0.43. The confusion arose from the use of different logarithmic bases; the calculator used log base 10, while the mathematical interpretation defaults to natural logarithm (log_e). The user also explored other integrals, including the integral from 2 to infinity of log(x)/x and the integral from 0 to infinity of 1/(x^2+1), noting the latter as undefined.

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  • Understanding of improper integrals in real analysis
  • Familiarity with limits and their applications in calculus
  • Knowledge of logarithmic functions and their bases
  • Basic skills in using calculators for numerical verification
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  • Review the properties of logarithms, focusing on log_e and log_10
  • Study the concept of improper integrals and their convergence
  • Learn about the evaluation of limits in the context of integrals
  • Explore the relationship between different logarithmic bases and their applications in calculus
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Students in real analysis, particularly those studying improper integrals, as well as educators and anyone seeking to clarify the differences between logarithmic bases in mathematical calculations.

moo5003
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Hello, I just finished up two problems for my homework and I have a sneaking notion that I have made a mistake somewhere because when I checked the answer numerically by calculator and I get a differing number.

I'm doing improper integrals for my real analysis class and the problem is stated as:

Calculate a) Integral from 0 to 1 of log(x)

Work: Derivative of (xlog(x)-x) = log(x) thus: let 0<d<1

Lim d-> 0 (from the right) Integral from d to 1 of log(x) = Lim d -> 0 xlog(x)-x evaluated from d to 1 = lim d -> 0 of d-1-dlog(d) = 0 - 1 - 0*-Infinity = -1

Integral from 0 to 1 of Log(x) = -1

Though, when i do this on my calculator i get something around -.43.

Similarly I get:

Integral from 2 to Infinity of Log(x)/x = -log^2(2)/2
Integral from 0 to Infinity of 1/(x^2+1) = Undefined (since Lim x->Infinity of Tan^-1(x) does not exist).

For part b/c. Thanks for anyhelp you can provide in finding my mistake at least for part a so I can recheck part b/c.:smile:
 
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a) This looks right. You should get the same number as when you look at

[tex]-\int_{-\infty}^0 e^x dx[/tex]

Do you see why?

b)What steps did you go through here?

c) I don't know whether this is undefined, but I do know that

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}\arctan (x) = \frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
 
moo5003 said:
Though, when i do this on my calculator i get something around -.43.

Log on your calculator is log_10, not log_e, and

[tex]\int_0^1 log_{10} x dx = -0.43.[/itex]<br /> <br /> In math, the default interpretation of log is log_e; in science, log often means log_10.[/tex]
 

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